“The guys showed grit and determination and grinded well as a unit. I am impressed at the partnerships in compiling 484,” said Paul Adams, the Nashua Cape Cobras coach, in assessing the Sunfoil Series draw against The Unlimited Titans in the Cobras’ penultimate four-day match of the season.

Adams was particularly impressed by Omphile Ramela’s second consecutive century in franchise cricket. Ramela struck an unbeaten 202 in 605 minutes of amazing focus, faced 403 balls and hammered 27 fours and two sixes. In the previous Sunfoil Series match, against the Chevrolet Warriors, Ramela contributed 129 in 411 minutes. Adams, as well as the skipper, Justin Ontong, said the left-hander played with more self-assuredness in his knock in Benoni, and his judgement was superb. “It was a good wicket to bat on. There was not much in it for the spinners and seam bowlers,” said the coach. “Beuran bowled wel, while Rory Kleinveldt was very consistent. “We struggled to get leg-before-wicket shouts, as it was a slow wicket, and the nicks did not even carry to the slips or the wicket-keeper,” said Adams. In assessing the four-day performances by the bottom-of-the-log Cobras, Adams admitted the team suffered due to injuries to Rory Kleinveldt, Beuran Hendricks, Justin Kemp and Dane Piedt as well as the absence due to South Africa A-commitment of Justin Ontong and Stiaan van Zyl. The Cobras are always assessing the ability of players who perform well at semi-professional level in order to secure a bigger pool of competition, he added. To be frank, though, the players who were given an opportunity in the 2014/2015-season, did not grab the opportunities to put pressure on incumbents. Many of the franchise-debutants struggled to make the step up, and consequently, the Cobras suffered early defeats against the bizhub Highveld Lions and the Chevrolet Warriors. The top-order struggles became a malaise in the four-day campaign before the Cobras resurrected their batting in the last two Sunfoil Series matches against the Warriors at the Newlands cricket ground and The Unlimited Titans. Asked about the team for the final match of the season, against the Sunfoil Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg, Adams said he will replace the mildly concussed Richard Levi and offer a few chances to new players.